Brian De Palma

Brian Russell De Palma is an American film director and writer. In a career spanning over 40 years, he is probably best known for his suspense and crime thriller films, including such box office successes as Carrie, Dressed to Kill, Scarface, The Untouchables, and Mission: Impossible. Throughout the 1970s and early 1980s, De Palma worked repeatedly with actors Jennifer Salt, Amy Irving, Nancy Allen (his wife from 1979 to 1983), Gary Sinise, John Lithgow, William Finley, Charles Durning, Gerrit Graham, cinematographers Stephen H. Burum and Vilmos Zsigmond (see List of noted film director and cinematographer collaborations), set designer Jack Fisk, and composers Bernard Herrmann and Pino Donaggio. De Palma is credited with fostering the careers of or outright discovering Robert De Niro, Jill Clayburgh, John C. Reilly, John Leguizamo, Andy Garcia and Margot Kidder.

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Blow Out (1981)

Jack Terry is a master sound recordist who works on grade-B horror movies. Late one evening, he is recording sounds for use in his movies when he hears something unexpected through his sound equipment and records it. Curiosity gets the better of him when the media ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Brian De Palma
CAST:  John Travolta  •  Nancy Allen  •  John Lithgow  •  Dennis Franz

Jack Terry is a master sound recordist who works on grade-B horror movies. Late one evening, he is recording sounds for use in his movies when he hears something unexpected through his sound equipment and records it. Curiosity gets the better of him when the media ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Brian De Palma
CAST:  John Travolta  •  Nancy Allen  •  John Lithgow  •  Dennis Franz

Carlito's Way (1993)

ViolentAction-packedClassicThrilling

A Puerto-Rican ex-con, just released from prison, pledges to stay away from drugs and violence despite the pressure around him, and lead a better life outside NYC.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Brian De Palma
CAST:  Al Pacino  •  Sean Penn  •  Penelope Ann Miller  •  John Leguizamo

A Puerto-Rican ex-con, just released from prison, pledges to stay away from drugs and violence despite the pressure around him, and lead a better life outside NYC.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Brian De Palma
CAST:  Al Pacino  •  Sean Penn  •  Penelope Ann Miller  •  John Leguizamo

Carrie (1976)

ClassicOriginalViolentTragic

Carrie White, a shy and troubled teenage girl who is tormented by her high school peers and her fanatically religious mother, begins to use her powers of telekinesis to exact revenge upon them.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Brian De Palma
CAST:  Sissy Spacek  •  Piper Laurie  •  Amy Irving  •  William Katt

Carrie White, a shy and troubled teenage girl who is tormented by her high school peers and her fanatically religious mother, begins to use her powers of telekinesis to exact revenge upon them.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Brian De Palma
CAST:  Sissy Spacek  •  Piper Laurie  •  Amy Irving  •  William Katt

Casualties of War (1989)

During the Vietnam War, a soldier finds himself the outsider of his own squad when they unnecessarily kidnap a female villager.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Brian De Palma
CAST:  Michael J. Fox  •  Sean Penn  •  Don Harvey  •  John C. Reilly

During the Vietnam War, a soldier finds himself the outsider of his own squad when they unnecessarily kidnap a female villager.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Brian De Palma
CAST:  Michael J. Fox  •  Sean Penn  •  Don Harvey  •  John C. Reilly

Dressed to Kill (1980)

SuspensefulThought provokingGrippingClever

After witnessing a mysterious woman brutally slay a homemaker, prostitute Liz Blake finds herself trapped in a dangerous situation. While the police thinks she is the murderer, the real killer is intent on silencing her only witness.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Brian De Palma
CAST:  Michael Caine  •  Angie Dickinson  •  Nancy Allen  •  Keith Gordon

After witnessing a mysterious woman brutally slay a homemaker, prostitute Liz Blake finds herself trapped in a dangerous situation. While the police thinks she is the murderer, the real killer is intent on silencing her only witness.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Brian De Palma
CAST:  Michael Caine  •  Angie Dickinson  •  Nancy Allen  •  Keith Gordon

Femme Fatale (2002)

A $10-million diamond rip-off, a stolen identity, a new life married to a diplomat. Laure Ash has risked big, won big. But then a tabloid shutterbug snaps her picture in Paris, and suddenly, enemies from Laure's secret past know who and where she is. And they all ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Brian De Palma
CAST:  Rebecca Romijn  •  Antonio Banderas  •  Peter Coyote  •  Rie Rasmussen

A $10-million diamond rip-off, a stolen identity, a new life married to a diplomat. Laure Ash has risked big, won big. But then a tabloid shutterbug snaps her picture in Paris, and suddenly, enemies from Laure's secret past know who and where she is. And they all ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Brian De Palma
CAST:  Rebecca Romijn  •  Antonio Banderas  •  Peter Coyote  •  Rie Rasmussen

Greetings (1968)

An offbeat, episodic film about three friends, Paul, a shy love-seeker, Lloyd, a vibrant conspiracy nut, and Jon, an aspiring filmmaker and peeping tom. The film satirizes free-love, the Kennedy assassination, Vietnam, and amateur film-making.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Brian De Palma
CAST:  Jonathan Warden  •  Robert De Niro  •  Gerrit Graham  •  Peter Maloney

An offbeat, episodic film about three friends, Paul, a shy love-seeker, Lloyd, a vibrant conspiracy nut, and Jon, an aspiring filmmaker and peeping tom. The film satirizes free-love, the Kennedy assassination, Vietnam, and amateur film-making.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Brian De Palma
CAST:  Jonathan Warden  •  Robert De Niro  •  Gerrit Graham  •  Peter Maloney

Hi, Mom! (1970)

Vietnam vet Jon Rubin returns to New York and rents a rundown flat in Greenwich Village. It is in this flat that he begins to film, 'Peeping Tom' style, the people in the apartment across the street. His obsession with making films leads him to fall in with a ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Brian De Palma
CAST:  Robert De Niro  •  Jennifer Salt  •  Allen Garfield  •  Charles Durning

Vietnam vet Jon Rubin returns to New York and rents a rundown flat in Greenwich Village. It is in this flat that he begins to film, 'Peeping Tom' style, the people in the apartment across the street. His obsession with making films leads him to fall in with a ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Brian De Palma
CAST:  Robert De Niro  •  Jennifer Salt  •  Allen Garfield  •  Charles Durning

Mission to Mars (2000)

When contact is lost with the crew of the first Mars expedition, a rescue mission is launched to discover their fate.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Brian De Palma
CAST:  Gary Sinise  •  Tim Robbins  •  Don Cheadle  •  Connie Nielsen

When contact is lost with the crew of the first Mars expedition, a rescue mission is launched to discover their fate.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Brian De Palma
CAST:  Gary Sinise  •  Tim Robbins  •  Don Cheadle  •  Connie Nielsen

Mission: Impossible (1996)

Action-packedFast pacedSuspensefulThrilling

When Ethan Hunt, the leader of a crack espionage team whose perilous operation has gone awry with no explanation, discovers that a mole has penetrated the CIA, he's surprised to learn that he's the No. 1 suspect. To clear his name, Hunt now must ferret out the real ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Brian De Palma
CAST:  Tom Cruise  •  Jon Voight  •  Emmanuelle Béart  •  Henry Czerny

When Ethan Hunt, the leader of a crack espionage team whose perilous operation has gone awry with no explanation, discovers that a mole has penetrated the CIA, he's surprised to learn that he's the No. 1 suspect. To clear his name, Hunt now must ferret out the real ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Brian De Palma
CAST:  Tom Cruise  •  Jon Voight  •  Emmanuelle Béart  •  Henry Czerny

Obsession (1976)

A wealthy New Orleans businessman becomes obsessed with a young woman who resembles his wife.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Brian De Palma
CAST:  Cliff Robertson  •  Geneviève Bujold  •  John Lithgow  •  Sylvia Kuumba Williams

A wealthy New Orleans businessman becomes obsessed with a young woman who resembles his wife.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Brian De Palma
CAST:  Cliff Robertson  •  Geneviève Bujold  •  John Lithgow  •  Sylvia Kuumba Williams

Phantom of the Paradise (1974)

OriginalTragicFantasticalMusical

Fledgling singer-songwriter Winslow Leach finds himself double-crossed by the nefarious music producer Swan, who steals both his music and the girl Winslow wants to sing it, Phoenix, for the grand opening of his rock palace, the Paradise. After Swan has Winslow ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Brian De Palma
CAST:  William Finley  •  Paul Williams  •  Jessica Harper  •  Gerrit Graham

Fledgling singer-songwriter Winslow Leach finds himself double-crossed by the nefarious music producer Swan, who steals both his music and the girl Winslow wants to sing it, Phoenix, for the grand opening of his rock palace, the Paradise. After Swan has Winslow ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Brian De Palma
CAST:  William Finley  •  Paul Williams  •  Jessica Harper  •  Gerrit Graham

Scarface (1983)

Action-packedSuspensefulViolentThought provoking

After getting a green card in exchange for assassinating a Cuban government official, Tony Montana stakes a claim on the drug trade in Miami. Viciously murdering anyone who stands in his way, Tony eventually becomes the biggest drug lord in the state, controlling ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Brian De Palma
CAST:  Al Pacino  •  Steven Bauer  •  Michelle Pfeiffer  •  Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio

After getting a green card in exchange for assassinating a Cuban government official, Tony Montana stakes a claim on the drug trade in Miami. Viciously murdering anyone who stands in his way, Tony eventually becomes the biggest drug lord in the state, controlling ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Brian De Palma
CAST:  Al Pacino  •  Steven Bauer  •  Michelle Pfeiffer  •  Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio

Sisters (1973)

Inquisitive journalist Grace Collier is horrified when she witnesses her neighbor, fashion model Danielle Breton, violently murder a man. Panicking, she calls the police. But when the detective arrives at the scene and finds nothing amiss, Grace is forced to take ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Brian De Palma
CAST:  Margot Kidder  •  Jennifer Salt  •  Charles Durning  •  William Finley

Inquisitive journalist Grace Collier is horrified when she witnesses her neighbor, fashion model Danielle Breton, violently murder a man. Panicking, she calls the police. But when the detective arrives at the scene and finds nothing amiss, Grace is forced to take ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Brian De Palma
CAST:  Margot Kidder  •  Jennifer Salt  •  Charles Durning  •  William Finley

Snake Eyes (1998)

All bets are off when shady homicide cop Rick Santoro witnesses a murder during a boxing match. It's up to him and lifelong friend, Naval intelligence agent Kevin Dunne to uncover the conspiracy behind the killing. At every turn, Santoro makes increasingly shocking ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Brian De Palma
CAST:  Nicolas Cage  •  Gary Sinise  •  John Heard  •  Carla Gugino

All bets are off when shady homicide cop Rick Santoro witnesses a murder during a boxing match. It's up to him and lifelong friend, Naval intelligence agent Kevin Dunne to uncover the conspiracy behind the killing. At every turn, Santoro makes increasingly shocking ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Brian De Palma
CAST:  Nicolas Cage  •  Gary Sinise  •  John Heard  •  Carla Gugino

The Black Dahlia (2006)

In 1940s Los Angeles, two former boxers-turned-cops must grapple with corruption, narcissism, stag films and family madness as they pursue the killer of an aspiring young actress.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Brian De Palma
CAST:  Josh Hartnett  •  Scarlett Johansson  •  Aaron Eckhart  •  Hilary Swank

In 1940s Los Angeles, two former boxers-turned-cops must grapple with corruption, narcissism, stag films and family madness as they pursue the killer of an aspiring young actress.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Brian De Palma
CAST:  Josh Hartnett  •  Scarlett Johansson  •  Aaron Eckhart  •  Hilary Swank

The Bonfire of the Vanities (1990)

After his mistress runs over a black teen, a Wall Street hotshot sees his life unravel in the spotlight; A down-and-out reporter breaks the story and opportunists clamber to use it to their advantage.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Brian De Palma
CAST:  Tom Hanks  •  Bruce Willis  •  Melanie Griffith  •  Kim Cattrall

After his mistress runs over a black teen, a Wall Street hotshot sees his life unravel in the spotlight; A down-and-out reporter breaks the story and opportunists clamber to use it to their advantage.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Brian De Palma
CAST:  Tom Hanks  •  Bruce Willis  •  Melanie Griffith  •  Kim Cattrall

The Fury (1978)

When a devious plot separates CIA agent Peter Sandza from his son, Robin, the distraught father manages to see through the ruse. Taken because of his psychic abilities, Robin is being held by Ben Childress, who is studying people with supernatural powers in hopes ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Brian De Palma
CAST:  Kirk Douglas  •  John Cassavetes  •  Amy Irving  •  Carrie Snodgress

When a devious plot separates CIA agent Peter Sandza from his son, Robin, the distraught father manages to see through the ruse. Taken because of his psychic abilities, Robin is being held by Ben Childress, who is studying people with supernatural powers in hopes ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Brian De Palma
CAST:  Kirk Douglas  •  John Cassavetes  •  Amy Irving  •  Carrie Snodgress

The Untouchables (1987)

Action-packedSuspensefulViolentThought provoking

Young Treasury Agent Eliot Ness arrives in Chicago and is determined to take down Al Capone, but it's not going to be easy because Capone has the police in his pocket. Ness meets Jim Malone, a veteran patrolman and probably the most honorable one on the force. He ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Brian De Palma
CAST:  Kevin Costner  •  Sean Connery  •  Robert De Niro  •  Andy García

Young Treasury Agent Eliot Ness arrives in Chicago and is determined to take down Al Capone, but it's not going to be easy because Capone has the police in his pocket. Ness meets Jim Malone, a veteran patrolman and probably the most honorable one on the force. He ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Brian De Palma
CAST:  Kevin Costner  •  Sean Connery  •  Robert De Niro  •  Andy García

Body Double (1984)

MindlessCleverIntenseOriginal

After losing an acting role and his girlfriend, Jake Scully finally catches a break: he gets offered a gig house-sitting in the Hollywood Hills. While peering through the beautiful home's telescope one night, he spies a gorgeous woman dancing in her window. But ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Brian De Palma
CAST:  Craig Wasson  •  Melanie Griffith  •  Gregg Henry  •  Deborah Shelton

After losing an acting role and his girlfriend, Jake Scully finally catches a break: he gets offered a gig house-sitting in the Hollywood Hills. While peering through the beautiful home's telescope one night, he spies a gorgeous woman dancing in her window. But ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Brian De Palma
CAST:  Craig Wasson  •  Melanie Griffith  •  Gregg Henry  •  Deborah Shelton
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